Description of the attraction
Among the many attractions of the city of Montreal, the San Sulpice Seminary undoubtedly deserves special attention. The Seminary is located in the Old Montreal area on the rue Notre Dame next to the Basilica of Notre Dame de Montreal and, like many years ago, is run by the Society of the Sulpicians.
Construction of the seminary building began in 1684. The building was designed by François Dollier de Casson (rector of the seminary in 1678-1701), but the original project turned out to be quite expensive and as a result underwent a number of changes. Actually, initially only the central building, perfectly preserved to this day, was built - a massive structure (overlooking Notre Dame Street, the building has three floors, and on the reverse side, due to the relief features, four floors) with an attic and a gabled roof, and already at the beginning of the 18th century, two wings were added. True, most of the east wing was subsequently replaced by a new structure erected in 1845-1854 by the architect John Austell. At the beginning of the 18th century, a massive stone wall appeared, blocking the entrance to the seminary from the Rue Notre Dame. The gate is neoclassical and dates from around 1740. The huge clock installed above the main entrance dates back to the first half of the 18th century. In the inner courtyard of the seminary there are outbuildings and a magnificent garden.
Today the Seminary of Sant Sulpice is one of the oldest structures and an architectural gem of Montreal's French heritage. In 1985, the building of the seminary received the status of a Historic Monument of Quebec, and already in 2007 - a National Historic Landmark of Canada.
